Leicester College
International Student Guide #LeicesterCollege
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Contents 3 Welcome to Leicester College
16 Before you leave home
4 Life in Leicester
17 Arriving in the UK
5 Campus Opening Times
18 Applying for a UK visa
6 College Facilities
20 Accommodation in Leicester
7 Our Partnership with DMU
22 Immigration and customs
8 Why study at Leicester College
23 How to get to Leicester
9 International Courses
24 Enrolment process
13 Fees and Payments
25 Collecting your biometric residency
14 How to apply
25 Opening a bank account
15 Your local IELTS Centre
26 Update your contact details
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Welcome to Leicester College I am very delighted to welcome you to Leicester College, a thriving, modern and diverse College based in the heart of Leicester. Our College is one of the largest and most successful Further Education colleges in the UK. We offer a comprehensive range of technical, vocational and higher education qualifications across a broad range of subject areas, including ESOL, from entry to university level to around 20,000 students. In recent years, Leicester College was awarded a Teaching Excellence Framework for Higher Education (TEF) Gold award. We have a brilliant record of student satisfaction, with 96% of learners happy at Leicester College and 94% who would recommend us to their friends. We understand, living and studying abroad can be a daunting prospect. However, here at Leicester College we have a dedicated team who help make your transition to the UK a seamless one. Leicester College is committed to providing you with all the help and support you need prior to your move and during your time studying with us. This guide has been produced to answer all questions you may have and help guide your transition to the UK. In here we have included all the information you will need from before your arrival through to your time studying with us. We are only a phone call or email away and can answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. I look forward to seeing you at Leicester College in the near future.
Verity Hancock, Principal
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Life in Leicester Leicester is a modern city, rich in arts, culture, sports and heritage. A recent £3 billion urban regeneration drive has put the city firmly on the map as a destination for tourism, shopping and entertainment. The city continues to produce world-class talent in sport, business and the arts, including rock band Kasabian, actor Sam Hopper and adventurer Sarah Outen. Leicester College has its own fair share of talented students too: fashion designer Gok Wan is a Leicester College alumnus, as is Aaron Patterson, the Head Chef at Hambleton Hall, who studied Culinary Arts and gained his first Michelin Star at age 23, Molly Smitten-Downes, who represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest, and singer-songwriter James Byron appeared on BBC music contest The Voice. Leicester also has one of the most vibrant and multicultural populations in the country. This diversity gives the city a well-earned reputation for tolerance and respect.
Diversity, History and Culture Leicester is a real cultural melting pot, with a variety of religions and cultures at home in the city. Leicester holds the biggest Diwali celebrations outside India and has more than 240 individual places of worship. The city’s Golden Mile is the centre of the local Indian community, with bakeries, jewellery shops and many, many restaurants making it the perfect place for an afternoon out. Most recently, Leicester has been in the news thanks to the fantastic, history-making 2016 Premier League win by Leicester City Football Club (known affectionately as the Foxes). The win was followed by a Victory Parade which saw the city come to a
standstill as thousands cheered the players in an open top bus which toured the streets. The discovery of the remains of King Richard III in Leicester captured the world’s attention in 2013 and the recently-opened visitor centre combines modern technology with myth-busting history to create a world-class museum. It was named as one of the “world’s hottest new attractions” for 2015 by travel guide Lonely Planet. Equally, Richard’s grave can now be viewed in the cathedral opposite, following his celebrity reinterment in 2015. You’ll never go hungry either– restaurants and cafes include cuisines from authentic Japanese to Korean, Turkish, Portuguese, Italian, Lebanese, French, Eritrean, modern British, Spanish, Southern Indian, and more. Equally, the city has a wide range of independent coffee shops, cocktail and wine bars, traditional pubs, and even a Champagne bar.
Location, Location, Location Located in the East Midlands, Leicester is very much at the heart of the country, with excellent transport links to all parts of the UK. London St. Pancras Station is just over an hour away by train – and from there you can hop onto the Eurostar and be in Paris in just over four hours! Both East Midlands and Birmingham International airports are less than an hour away and easily accessible by public transport. There are direct train services between Leicester and both Stansted and Luton airports and the UK’s gateway airports of London Heathrow and London Gatwick are also readily accessible. Visit: visitleicester.info
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Campus Opening Times Abbey Park Campus Painter Street Leicester, LE1 3WA Opening Times Term time:
Monday to Tuesday Wednesday to Friday
6am to 9pm 6am to 6pm
Non-term time:
Monday to Thursday Friday
8:30am to 4:30pm 8:30am to 4pm
Freemen’s Park Campus Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7LW Opening Times Term time:
Monday to Tuesday Wednesday to Thursday Friday
6am to 6pm 6am to 9pm 6am to 6pm
Non-term time:
Monday to Thursday Friday
8:30am to 4:30pm 8:30am to 4pm
St Margaret’s Campus St John Street, Leicester, LE1 3WL Opening Times Term time:
Monday to Tuesday Wednesday to Thursday Friday
6am to 6pm 6am to 9pm 6am to 6pm
Non-term time:
Monday to Thursday Friday
8:30am to 4:30pm 8:30am to 4pm
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College Facilities Places to Eat
Social Spaces
Food Inc Based at all campuses Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 3:45pm Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm
Each campus has a social space with gaming facilities and sofas. These spaces are free to use for all students and offer a chance to relax and catch up with friends in a fun environment.
Zest CafĂŠ A cafĂŠ staffed and run by our hospitality and catering students and staff at Freemen's Park Campus. Open from 8:30am to 3pm Monday to Friday. Term time only. Taste The taste restaurant is a full five star silver service restaurant that offers award winning lunches and dinners with a full bar available based at Freemen's Park Campus. For more details on our competitive prices and to book please call 0116 224 2060.
Gym There is a fully equipped gym at the Morningside Arena on Charter street (close to our St Margaret's and Abbey Park campuses). The gym is designed to meet the needs of the professional basketball players on the Leicester Riders team, but is also open for College and community use. There is a special student rate membership see leicesterarena.co.uk/arena-arena-gym for details.
Sue Townsend Theatre The theatre has a rich history in the performing arts with a stellar cast of leading British actors and actresses having performed at the theatre. It is regularly used as a performance venue by local and national arts, music, theatre and dance companies. The theatre is also a teaching venue for Leicester College, and is home to our performing arts and music and sound technology teams. Our students have the opportunity to train in this incredible commercial theatre space.
Hairdressing and Beauty Salons Our fully-equipped hair and beauty therapy salons at Freemen's Park campus provide the same quality services and fantastic experience as a high street salon – but at a fraction of the price. You can come to us for anything from a trim to a full head of highlights in the hairdressing salon to facials or waxing in the beauty therapy suite. We use branded products and our students have recently styled hair for the Miss Great Britain finalists, and have also made it to the regional heats of the UK Hairdressing World Skills Competition. Appointments are available during the day or evening. Call to make an appointment on 0116 224 2052 or 0116 224 2051.
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Our partnership with DMU Leicester College is an associate College of De Montfort University (DMU) and works with the University to provide pathways to degree level in many subject areas, following study at Leicester College. Significantly, students successfully completing an International Foundation Programmes (IFP) with us will be entitled to automatic progression to a relevant De Montfort University undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree) programme. Of course our IFPs can also lead to enrolment in higher education courses at any UK University. DMU offers bursary scholarships to Leicester College international students who enrol on an undergraduate programme at DMU. For the 2018-2019 academic year, DMU offered a £1,000 bursary scholarship to international students progressing to DMU who pay overseas international rate tuition fees. More information on the DMU bursaries is available here: leicestercollege.ac.uk/study/international/international-course-fees-dmu-bursaries/
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Why study at Leicester College? As one of the largest public further education colleges in the UK, we offer a range of courses just for international students. This includes English language (ESOL) courses, Semester in Leicester! Study Abroad Programmes and International Foundation Programmes (IFPs). The IFPs are designed to prepare you to get a place at a British university the following year. Studying in the UK before you do your degree means you will have the opportunity to develop skills and experience, increase your cultural familiarity with the UK, and improve your English language skills both in and outside the classroom.
We know that the prospect of leaving your home and moving to a new country to study can be a stressful time, so we promise that you will receive the support and guidance you need to make the most of your time with us. We offer you high-quality teaching and support when you come to study with us. Each year our lecturing team works with hundreds of students who have come to us from a diverse range of backgrounds and we tailor our teaching to suit your needs.
Our excellent facilities and expert teaching will help you to improve your English as well as your subject knowledge. With smaller class sizes than most universities, studying with us means you receive more personalised attention and support from our teaching staff.
Note: Leicester College is a Tier 4 Probationary Sponsor. As such, there are some limitations to the courses we may offer international students. Currently, we can only offer courses at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 4 or above. In addition, we can accept applications for courses such as ESOL or our short courses that require a short-term Study Visa.
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International Courses Please note that your visa status will determine what courses you can apply for at Leicester College. Refer to the visas and immigration section for more information.
English Language Requirements for Enrolment To enrol in Leicester College programmes, you should have an Average Band Score of 5.5 or more (with a band score of 5.5 for speaking, 5.5 for writing and no other component lower than 5.0) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) run by the British Council. Intensive English language development and support is part of our International Foundation Programmes (IFPs) and by the end of your IFP course, your IELTS score should go up by at least one level. For applicants to higher education (HNC, HND and Foundation Degree / Degree programmes), additional English language sessions delivered by the College are available to assist you in reaching an IELTS score of 6.0 or above by the end of your programme. This will help you apply for higher-level studies.
Higher Education Courses and Further (Vocational) Education Courses A range of courses are available to international students covering a range of programmes from level 3 vocational diplomas/extended diplomas to higher education qualifications such as higher national diplomas, foundation degrees and bachelor’s degrees.
Courses are available in business, computing, creative and digital arts and design, engineering, sports education, travel and tourism, hospitality and professional cookery, health and social care, music and sound technology, performing arts, construction, and beauty therapy and artistic make-up. International students at Leicester College can study any full-time course at level 4 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). For this, a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa is required. Find out more here: gov.uk/what-different-qualificationlevels-mean For shorter courses up to six months and English Language (ESOL) courses up to eleven months, you can apply for a shortterm Study Visa.
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International Courses (continued) ESOL and IELTS Leicester College offers one of the widest selections of courses in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses in the country. We are lucky to live in a multicultural city and we offer English language courses at all levels to help you prepare for further study or employment in the UK. Leicester College is a British Council approved International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test centre.
IELTS Preparation Courses
are designed for international students whose school leaving qualifications gained in their home country are not sufficient for direct entry into a UK university. Our International Foundation Programmes cover a range of curriculum areas (Business, Health and Caring Professions, Engineering, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences) and combine intensive English language development with subject-specific coursework to provide you with the skills and knowledge to enrol at a university. Our International Foundation Programme students can progress on to study at our partner institution, De Montfort University, or can apply to study at any university in the UK.
As an international student, you can take full advantage of the fact that Leicester College is the only British Council IELTS Test Centre in Leicester and the surrounding areas.
Direct Progression to De Montfort University
We have an IELTS Preparation Course available to all students enrolled in our English language programmes. This is a separate 11-week course (four hours per week) studied alone or in combination with General ESOL. You can start the preparation course in September, January and mid-April.
If you complete one of our International Foundation Programmes you are able to progress directly and automatically onto a related undergraduate degree programme at De Montfort University, as long as you achieve the minimum English language level required for university entry.
More information on English language (ESOL) courses is available here: leicestercollege.ac.uk/study/ international/esol/ More information on IELTS is available here: leicestercollege.ac.uk/study/ielts/
International Foundation Programmes Leicester College offers a range of International Foundation Programmes that
Leicester College’s university partner, De Montfort University (DMU), offers bursaries to Leicester College international students who enrol on an undergraduate (bachelor’s degree) programme at DMU. More information on the DMU bursaries is available on the Leicester College website. All International Foundation Programmes include a series of guest lectures and cultural/extra-curricular visits and the opportunity to join other students on trips within the UK.
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Entry requirements are evidence of completion of NQF level 3/advanced level studies (equivalent to 12 years of schooling); and English language competence is shown by an IELTS score of 5.5 or above (with a minimum band score of 5.5 for speaking, 5.5 for writing and no other component lower than 5.0). Our International Foundation Programmes include English language (ESOL) development and support, which is intended to increase your IELTS score by at least one full level by the end of the programme. International Foundation Programmes take one academic year to complete, commencing in September each year and finishing in early June the following year.
Please note that our International Foundation Programmes are not currently available to students who require a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa to study in the UK. Find out more: leicestercollege. ac.uk/study/international/visasand-immigration/
Semester in Leicester! Study Abroad Programme Leicester College offers a range of Semester in Leicester! Study Abroad Programmes specifically developed for international students. These programmes are designed to improve your English language skills and let you gain study experience while experiencing life in the UK and our education system for a month, one term or one-semester. Detailed information on our Semester in Leicester! Study Abroad Programmes is available on our website in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
International School of Footwear Leicester Leicester College is home to the worldrenowned International School of Footwear, which was established in Leicester in 1897. Over its 120 year history, the International School of Footwear has hosted students from more than 60 countries – including Japan, Indonesia, India, South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States, Mexico, Greece, Turkey and Zambia.
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International Courses (continued) Our Footwear Courses Our courses teach skills in both the design and production of footwear as well as marketing skills for the footwear industry. Leicester College is one of the very few institutions in the UK where you can take a footwear design and production course that will give you the skills necessary to design and hand-make a shoe from scratch. Leicester College offers a two-year Footwear Foundation Degree that addresses the needs of today’s dynamic footwear industry. It is equivalent to the first two years of a BA (Hons) degree and combines academic research with vocational practice in a range of footwear disciplines. Leicester College also offers an intensive six-month Footwear Design and Manufacture certificate programme. The six-month programme is designed for students who have completed introductory courses in footwear manufacture and now intend to learn about design and production. It is also for students new to footwear who wish to gain a broad understanding of footwear design and manufacture before going on to undertake a more specialised or higher-level footwear programme. For students successfully completing the two-year foundation degree (or those who may already have a degree in the creative industries from their home country) we offer the BA (Hons) Professional Studies (Creative Industries) programme. This is a one-year bachelor-level ‘top-up’ course that aims to provide graduates with professional work-ready skills and commercial business knowledge for successful careers in the creative industries. Find out about our courses on our website.
CAD Centre of Excellence The International School of Footwear also hosts a Centre of Excellence for footwear production, with a state-of-the-art computer-aided design (CAD) facility. Leicester College is the only further education institution in the UK to provide this specialist design software to its students. It reduces the costs of developing designs and allows students to design features in a footwear-specific 3D CAD programme.
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Fees and payments Course Fees The cost of your study will vary depending on the course level and duration, and whether you are an International or EU student. Separate fee structures apply for English language (ESOL) and IELTS programmes. Detailed current information on course costs for International and EU students is available on our website: leicestercollege.ac.uk/study/international/ international-course-fees-dmu-bursaries/ There may be other costs related to your studies too, such as exam fees, registration fees, cost of materials etc, so do keep this in mind when managing your money.
How to Pay for Course Fees If we are able to offer you a place on a course, full information about how to make a payment will be included in our offer letter. We will ask you to pay a deposit to secure your place and we will not issue a CAS or a ShortTerm Study Visa support letter until this deposit has been received. All remaining fees must be paid at or before enrolment. Students will not be formally enrolled in any course until fees for that year have been paid, in full.
Remember, to comply with UK immigration law, in addition to course fees, all full-time Tier 4 Student Visa applicants must have at least ÂŁ9,135 (ÂŁ1,015 per month for nine months) in a bank account to meet maintenance requirements if you do not have an established presence in the UK. Please note that you must be able to provide evidence that these funds are in a personal bank account in the name of the enrolling student or in the name of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). This account cannot be a business account or trust account. Refer to the Visas and Immigration section for more information.
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How to apply 1. Complete an Online International (Non-EU) Application Form: Information on the application process and the online application form for International (Non-EU) students is available: leicestercollege.ac.uk/study/ international/how-to-apply/ All applications must be submitted online. If you are having trouble accessing our online application form, please contact the International Office: leicestercollege.ac.uk/ study/international/contact-us/
2. Submit the following documents by email: After completing the online application, you should scan the following documents and send them to the International Office by email (internationaloffice@leicestercollege. ac.uk) or submit the documents in person at the International Office at St Margaret’s Campus: • A copy of your passport (as well as your current UK visa / BRP if you are already in the UK) – essential for all applications • Copies of your educational certificates (Not required for ESOL applications) – Note: non English language qualifications must be translated and certified in English by an authorised translator. • A copy of your IELTS for UKVI English Language test result (Not required for ESOL applications).
3. If your application is successful: If your application is successful, you will receive a Conditional Offer letter, a Financial Guarantee form and a Reply Slip. • To confirm your acceptance, you must complete the Reply Slip and the Financial Guarantee form, and send these to us along with the minimum deposit of £1,500 (or the total amount of fees payable, if less than £1,500). • Information on how to make the payment is provided in the Conditional Offer letter. Any remainder is payable on or before enrolment day. Once these conditions are met you will be provided with a Formal Offer Letter to support your visa application. If you are not already in the UK, then you will need to apply for your UK visa and we recommend you submit your application three (3) months before your course starts.
Note: you cannot submit your visa application more than three (3) months before your course starts.
If you have any questions about applying for your course please contact the International Office by email internationaloffice@ leicestercollege.ac.uk or by telephone +44 (0)116 224 4111.
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Your local IELTS Centre International English Language Testing System IELTS is the International English Language Testing System and is the world’s most popular English proficiency test. It is a test that measures the language ability of people who want to study or work in environments where English is used as a language of communication. An easy-to-use 9-band scale clearly identifies proficiency level, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9). IELTS is a valid and reliable measure of your ability to communicate in English for education, immigration, emigration and accreditation purposes.
How do I apply? Step 1 – Applying for your IELTS test Apply online here: ielts.britishcouncil.org/leicestercollege Booking online is the most efficient way to reserve your IELTS test session. Paper applications are also available from the Leicester College Information Centres at our three main campuses.
Step 2 – Paying your test fee A link will be provided in the automated email you receive once you have completed the online application form. You can pay online. OR You can pay over the phone by calling 0116 224 2240 and asking for the Information Centre. OR If you prefer, you can pay in person at the Information Centre at any of our three city centre campuses. You must have your IELTS reference number to hand when paying for your test fee. The test fee for 2018 is £162.
Step 3 – Submitting a copy of your ID document Email a clear, coloured copy of your ID document to ielts@leicestercollege.ac.uk OR Visit the IELTS Office at the Abbey Park Campus with your original ID Document. We can then photocopy this for you.
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Before you leave home Pre-departure checklist Make sure you have checked everything off before you leave your home country. • Apply for a visa - (See page 18-19) • Arrange your accommodation - (See page 20-21) • Pack the important documents - You will need to have in your hand luggage your Leicester College acceptance letter and evidence, your UKVI visa letter and evidence of finances you will use to support yourself. • Arrange your Insurance - Book travel insurance for your journey, as well as health insurance to cover the full period of study if you are on a short-term Study Visa. Tier 4 students pay an Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa fee to access health services while in the UK. • Budget your money - You will need to plan how you will manage your budget whilst studying here. Take a look at the cost of living and how to effectively manage your money. • Pack appropriately - The weather in the UK during term time can get extremely cold. Please make sure you are prepared.
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Arriving in the UK Arrivals checklist Coming to a new country can be daunting, make sure you check off everything on this list so you don’t miss anything out. Travel to Leicester – make your way to Leicester via public transport, (Page 23).
Make yourself at home – move into your accommodation and get settled in.
Collect your Biometric Residency Permit – (see page 25).
Get connected – set up your internet connection, Wi-Fi and sim card.
Explore the city – get familiar with your local supermarkets, restaurants and buses.
Enrol onto your course – the College will provide you with information on where and how to enrol.
Register your visa with the police – based on your nationality, you may need to register your visa with the police. Well give you more information at enrolment.
Register with a GP (Doctor) - in order to access health services, you will need to register first with a GP / medical centre – contact the International Office for assistance.
Open a bank account – you will need to open a bank account, see page 26 for more information.
Attend fresher’s week – meet other students and sign up for sports teams.
Collect a council tax exemption certificate – everyone is charged council tax, however, if you show proof of being a full-time student you can be exempt.
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Applying for a UK visa Note: Leicester College is a Tier 4 Probationary Sponsor. As such, there are some limitations to the courses we may offer international students. Currently, we can only offer courses at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 or above. In addition, we can accept applications for courses such as ESOL or our short courses that require a Shortterm Study Visa.
Tier 4 (General) Student Visas You can apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you have not previously studied in the UK for two years below degree level. You can only apply for courses at (NQF) level 4 or above - that means Foundation Degrees, Bachelor Degrees and Higher National Certificate (HNC) / Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes. To apply for your visa you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number, which we will give you once you have been accepted onto your course and you have paid your deposit. Detailed information on the process will be provided in our offer letter to you. Further information from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on the Tier 4 Visa process is available on the UKVI website here: gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa
Short-term Study Visa If you are 18 years or older and you are coming to the UK to study for a maximum of six months (or 11 months if you intend to study intensive English language), you may be able to enter as a short-term student. The ordinary short-term Study Visa category will allow you to come to the UK if you are 18 years or older, and want to enter: • for up to six months to study a short course in any subject area; or • for up to 11 months to study an English language course. If you choose to come as a short-term student you will NOT be allowed to do any work (including unpaid work) or a work placement or work experience (even if it is part of a course). Short-term students are not allowed to apply to switch into any other immigration or visa category while still in the UK. This type of visa cannot be extended – If you wish to continue your studies after the visa ends, you will have to leave the UK and apply for another visa in your own country to return. This is also true if you wish to change where you study when your visa ends.
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You cannot submit your visa application more than three (3) months before your course starts. Detailed information on the Student Visa application process, including the documents you must provide with your application, is available on the UKVI website here: gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas
Evidence of Funds Required When you apply for your visa, you must be able to provide evidence that you can support yourself during your time in the UK. All full-time Tier 4 (General) Student Visa applicants must have had at least £9,135 (£1,015 per month for nine months) in a bank account for at least a month at the time of visa application to meet the UKVI “maintenance requirements”. This amount is in addition to any course fees that remain outstanding. Bank statements must be dated no more than 31 days prior to the date you make your visa application. Please note that you must be able to provide evidence that these funds are in a personal bank account in the name of the enrolling student or in the name of his / her parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and not in a business or trust account. There are no set minimum funding criteria for short-term Study Visa applicants. However, as a guide, you should also be able to prove you have access to the total course fees plus an additional £1,015 per month to cover living costs in the UK. You will have to demonstrate access to funds with bank statements and with payslips for the last 6 months. Bank statements must be in your name, or in the name of your parent(s) / guardian and cover at least one month before you submit your application and dated no more than 31 days prior to making your application, showing that you meet the financial requirements.
Tuberculosis Tests Residents from certain countries who come to the UK to study for more than six months will need to take a tuberculosis (TB) test and provide your test results as part of the visa application process. The list of countries subject to TB testing and the approved TB testing clinics are listed on the Home Office here: gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-whereyou-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk Please note that some countries don’t have approved testing centres and, if so, you’ll need to get tested in a neighbouring country.
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Accommodation in Leicester Accommodation in Leicester Leicester College does not own or provide any accommodation directly, but we will do our best to provide you with as much information as possible so you can find a suitable place to live ahead of your arrival in Leicester. Leicester has a wide range of private accommodation.
Self-catered student halls of residence Owned and managed by private companies, these apartments have en-suite facilities and some communal spaces like the kitchen and living space. The average cost is around ÂŁ115-ÂŁ165 per week depending on the location and facilities. Generally, this includes gas, electricity and water bills. Some halls may also provide internet. Food is not included and you will have to cook for yourself. We recommend you budget ÂŁ50 per week for food if you intend to prepare your own food; more if you plan to eat out at restaurants. You are generally required to bring or buy your own bedding and cooking utensils. Please note that most student accommodation companies insist upon payment of rent in advance, although they usually allow instalments (perhaps 2-3 per year). You should be able to arrange accommodation with halls of residence while still in your home country. Please note that in the UK once you have booked the accommodation the contract is for the whole academic year, September-June.
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Self-catered shared private house This is where you live in a house rented by a group of young people, usually shared between 3-4 other students. The kitchen, bathroom and living room are shared and each person has their own bedroom. Some will be available with basic furnishings and appliances but many will not. This is something you will need to check. This type of accommodation is typically £70-£120 per week per room, but this does not include food or charges for gas, water and electricity, which are shared with other tenants in the house.
Private Accommodation (Houses / Flats) There are plenty of options in Leicester for renting houses or flats from private landlords. Some properties will be available with basic furnishings and appliances but many will not. This is something you will need to check. The cost could range from £400 to £700 per calendar month depending on the size of the house or flat. This would not include charges for gas, water, electricity and internet etc. Private accommodation and shared accommodation is more difficult to arrange while you are still overseas. We strongly recommend that you view the property and in the case of shared accommodation, meet other tenants in the house before you commit to pay any deposit or sign any contract. These contracts are legal documents and you are legally bound by the terms and conditions. We recommend that you arrange temporary accommodation in a hostel, a hotel or in a bed and breakfast for when you first arrive in Leicester to allow you time to look at private shared accommodation options before making your decision.
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Immigration and customs As soon as you land you will need to pass through immigration. Expect delays, due to the peak times you will be arriving. You will need to have the following documents ready: • Passport • Visa/Entry clearance letter/copy of parent consent letter if under 18 • Offer letter from the College • Evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of tuition fees and living expenses • Some students will need to show evidence of recent medical examination or an international vaccination certificate. Additionally, the immigration officer may ask you some questions about your intended study and you should be prepared for questions such as the following: • Why you applied for your course • Your English language level • Any family connections in the UK • Your plans to return to your home country • Your accommodation arrangements
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How to get to Leicester Train From London Heathrow airport you need to take the underground to London St Pancras International station. From Gatwick you need to take a train to London St Pancras International station. From London St Pancras, you can travel directly to Leicester in just over an hour for around £60. From Manchester Airport you will need to get the train to Manchester Piccadilly station. From Manchester Piccadilly station you can travel to Leicester. This journey usually takes 2-3 hours and costs around £40-50. From Birmingham Airport you need to take a train to Birmingham New Street Station. You can travel directly to Leicester from there in about 45 minutes for approximately £20. More information on train travel and costs is available on the National Rail website.
Coach/bus From London Heathrow or Gatwick airport you can take the National Express coach directly to Leicester’s St Margaret’s Bus Station. Coaches depart from the central bus station at Terminal 2/3, also making stops near Terminals 4 and 5. The journey via coach takes 2.5 to 4 hours. From Manchester Airport you can take the National Express coach and the journey takes 3 to 4 hours. From Birmingham Airport you can take the National Express coach, the journey takes an hour and a half.
Useful websites National Rail East Midlands Trains National Express Coaches Transport for London (for transport within London)
nationalrail.co.uk eastmidlandstrains.com nationalexpress.com tfl.gov.uk
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Enrolment Process 1. On arrival at the time and place stipulated in your enrolment letter, you will need to complete an enrolment form with your tutor, who will sign the form to facilitate enrolment. On enrolment day students should arrive at the time and place stipulated in your enrolment letter. You will firstly meet with your course tutor, who will assist you to complete your enrolment form and confirm your class timetable. 2. Next, you must come to the International Office at the St Margaret’s Campus (or see the designated Information Centre staff member at Abbey Park or Freemen’s Park Information Centre) so that we can check and make a copy of your passport, BRP and qualifications documents and confirm that you are “OK to Enrol”. You will not be able to enrol and get your Student ID unless your enrolment form is endorsed by the International Office as OK to Enrol. 3. If you are OK to Enrol, you then take your enrolment form to the Information Centre and pay the balance of your fees. You can pay with: • Credit card (UK or international) or UK debit card • UK / international bank transfer (detailed in your enrolment letter) Important Note: All ESOL students must come to the International Office at St Margaret’s Campus to undertake enrolment after completing a language assessment. 4. Your payment details will then be entered onto the computer and your photograph will be taken for your Leicester College student ID card, which must be worn at all time while on campus.
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Collecting your biometric residency (BRP) When you arrive in the UK, you will have 10 days to go to the designated Post Office to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This is a document issued by the Home Office to students as evidence of their immigration permission. They are the shape and size of a credit card and show your photograph on the front, together with information about how long your permission is valid for. They also show whether you are allowed to do any work and whether you are required to register with the Police. It may also show your eligibility for free NHS hospital treatment. Your visa decision letter will tell you when your BRP will be available and which Post Office branch you can collect it from. Generally, students need to visit St Peter’s Post Office to collect their BRP. The address is: 114 Melbourne Rd, Leicester LE2 0DS. You will need to take the following information with you: • • • •
Your passport Your visa decision letter issued by the Home Office Your UK address Your contact mobile number
More information: gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits Note: You will not be able to enrol at Leicester College without your BRP. If you do not collect your BRP within ten (10) days of arriving in the UK you may have to pay a fine and/or your visa may be cancelled.
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Opening a bank account You will be able to open a bank account only after you have completed your enrolment. The College will provide you with written confirmation about your student status. Generally, you will need to make an appointment to open a bank account, even if you submit an account application online. You may need to wait a week or two for an appointment at the beginning of the academic year. You will need to take the following documents to your appointment: • Proof of identity: your passport with your student visa and BRP. • Proof of address: a letter from the International Office confirming your student status and address. You only need to open a basic account with online banking and an ATM card and these accounts are usually ‘fee free’.
Additional Student Support Leicester College has a dedicated International Office to assist and support students interested in studying with us. Our International Office is located at our St Margaret’s Campus, which is located between St John Street and Grafton Place near the St Margaret’s Bus Station in Leicester city centre. The International Office is in Room 0.03 on the Ground Floor. International Office Address International Office Leicester College St Margaret’s Campus St John Street Leicester LE1 3WL United Kingdom International Enquiries and Admissions Phone: +44 (0)116 224 4111 Email: internationaloffice@leicestercollege.ac.uk ‘Like’ the International Facebook page
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International Students Don't forget to update your contact details if you have:
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS
• Changed address • A new email address • A new mobile phone number • Changed your home address abroad
Complete an 'International Change of Contract Details Form' as soon as changes occur. Find it online: leicestercollege.ac.uk/international/
You must also advise the Home Office/UKVI of any changes in your contact details. Please contact the International Office if you require assistance contacting UKVI.
Abbey Park Campus Painter Street Leicester LE1 3WA St Margaret's Campus St John Street Leicester LE1 3WL Freemen's Park Campus Welford Road Leicester LE2 7LW For all enquires call 0116 224 2240 visit leicestercollege.ac.uk or email info@leicestercollege.ac.uk
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Š Copyright 19378, Leicester College, April 2019